Monday, December 26, 2005

A list of favourites for 2005

Book of 2005: Nick Hornby's "A Long Way Down". Hornby at his finest, without a doubt. A tale of human ineptidude and depression. Written like nobody else does. Or could.Song of 2005: Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl".6 months on, and I'm not tired of it yet. Tacky genius. Still genius though.Album of 2005: Depeche Mode, "Playing The Angel".Dickhead of 2005: Pete Doherty, and with him the hordes of British press who -as per usual- managed a u-turn. From saint to sinner, whereas he'd simply always been a tosser.Club of 2005: Club Bohemia, Islington, London.I stumbled into it as I played a gig there with My Marilyn. Amazing place. I just hope it doesn't get too popular. It's still at its "best-kept-secret" kind of stage.TV programme of 2005: Lost, Channel 4.Years and years since it'd gotten all obsessed with a TV-series. It really is gripping. Tough for those who missed it cos it's gone to far too pick it up now!!!Comedy of 2005: Extras, BBC2.10/10. Dead-pan humour, cringeworthy to the extreme and very very funny. Ricky Gervais can wag the fingers to "that difficult second album". Second best: Worst Week of My Life. It makes you feel lucky...Film of 2005: The Assassination of Richard Nixon.Sean Penn deserves an Oscar. Absolutely outstanding. A grim tale of realism like you wouldn't think they'd still make in the 21st Century. In Hollywood. And in the US.Actor of 2005: David Tennant.Blackpool, Casanova, Secret Smiles and Dr Who. And that's just for starters.Overrated band of 2005:Kaiser Chiefs.They won't last. Just wait and see. There's only as many songs you can write with a crescendo of Ooooooooooooooooooh Ooooooooooooooooooooh Ooooooooooooooooh.Underrated band of 2005: The Tears.I thought that Bernard Butler and Brett Anderson came back in fine style. Obviously the press aren't ready. They need at least 15 years for their usual "revival" binge. And the 90s wait next in the queue.Gig of 2005: Live 8.Like it or not, it was massive. If only "The Chosen Ones" Bono and Geldof weren't so saint-like...(Bad) event of the year: The London bombings (for the UK).It tastes even worse when it hits home. Literally.